Hacker News Reader

The Chinese middle class are all about status. The iPhone is a status symbol.

It sort of sounds like the Chinese see an iPhone similar to how Americans see a BMW or Audi.

Chinese see cars (and handbags, and shoes) the same way as well.

China is a massive market for German car brands - they buy ~30% of Audis sold worldwide, ~25% of BMWs and ~18% of Mercs.